Opening your doors to doing business in West Chicago requires following some simple but necessary procedures. To help make sure that establishing your business runs as smoothly as possible, we would like to take this opportunity to advise you of several requirements that must be met prior to occupancy. All new businesses in the City of West Chicago must follow the requirements listed below:
1. Contact our Business Development Coordinator
Schedule an initial consultation with our Business Development Coordinator. Please contact (630) 293-2200 x157, or email bregistration@westchicago.org.
2. Check Zoning
Check the zoning of your property before buying or signing a lease. Please reference the 2018 Zoning Map to determine the zoning classification of a particular property and check the Municipal Code (Appendix A - Article X) to determine permitted uses. To obtain City zoning approval for your business, please submit a Zoning Approval Application (.pdf - 160k)
3. Permitting
Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy
Once the use is approved through approval of the zoning application, City and Fire District staff must inspect the building you move into to make sure that it is in compliance with the building code. The City will coordinate the inspection with Fire District staff. There is a fee for this inspection; the fee structure is located in our Municipal Code section.
Schedule an inspection by calling the Community Development Department at (630) 293-2200 x131.
Any code violations must be addressed prior to occupancy, so please leave adequate time for the City and Fire District to inspect the property and conduct a re-inspection after any corrections are made. Once you have fully satisfied the inspection requirements, the Community Development Department will issue a Certificate of Occupancy. The Certificate must be obtained before the building is occupied.
Building Permits
Depending on the renovations and repairs to be executed, a building permit may be required. Before erecting a sign, remodeling, or beginning any construction, please call (630) 293-2200 x131 to determine if a building permit is required. If so, staff can provide direction on submittal requirements.
4. Registration
All businesses within the corporate limits of West Chicago are required to complete a Business Registration Application. The fee for a new business registration is $55 and the required annual registration renewal is $30. Complete and submit a Business Registration Application found through the link below:
5. Other Business Requirements
A Water Usage Survey (pdf - 123k) must be completed and submitted.
Additional Licenses
Additional licenses are required for certain categories of business. The following lists such businesses. Please contact the Administrative Services Department at (630) 293-2200 x171 for further information and the applicable forms.
- Coin Operated Amusement Vending Games on Premises
- Auctions & Auctioneers
- Currency Exchanges
- Day and Temporary Labor Agencies
- Hotels & Motels w/Sleeping Accommodations for More than 20
- Landscape Waste Transfer Station
- Liquor (Sales & Serving)
- Massage Establishments & Therapists
- Money Changers
- Peddlers (weekly)
- Peddlers
- Scavengers
- Solicitor
- Tag Day - (Public Street, Alley, Sidewalk or Other Public Place)
- Tattoo and Body Piercing Establishments
- Taxicab (License)
- Taxicab (Per Vehicle)
- Tobacco (Vending Machine on Premises)
- Tobacco Sales (Over the Counter Sales)
